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Eivind Tonna is relaxing on his bed, taking it easy. It’s just hours before the first competition in Russia. Nor is his girlfriend, Hannele Valkonen, using too much energy the day before either.

– I would like to do some hard training the day before, but I am not doing very much, says Eivind.

The Norwegian’s best performance in individual competition has been fifth in a World Championship. That’s five years ago. Now is he really looking for an individual place on the podium and the best chance is in the first race – the sprint. He enjoys tricky and challenging orienteering.

– I know there will be incredibly good competition but I have also done my best races in Russia. I have won a World Cup race here and also got a medal at the European Championship, he says.

Eivind and Hannele live together in Norway. Here they are in two different teams.

– That’s no problem. We see each other so much anyway, says Hannele.

There is time to see each other, especially now, just before the competition when not a lot is happening.

Hannele feels it’s close to the start.

– I have looked forward to it for a long time.

Both Norway and Finland arrived on Friday. On Saturday it was a sunny day and good for skiing. Sunday was the pre race. Otherwise there wasn’t too much happening.

– We’ll go sightseeing after the championships. We go home on Sunday and the last competition is on Friday, Eivind smiles.

The couple, Hannele Valkonen and Eivind Tonna, taking it quite easily before the big Monday – the day for the start of the World Championships in Ski Orienteering.